Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-08-09
FLOODED BY FIREMEN.
Thomas Drug store by the Indis-
erect Use of Water---The Early
Morning Fire---A Narrow Escape

morning F1fe---A NufTON Escupc
The Losses.
At $50 this morning the people of
Rock Island were aroused from their |
slumbers by the sounding of the water
works whistle for fire in the Fourth |
ward. Immediately there was that clang
ing of bells which disturbs the peace and
comfort of the population of Rock ISL |
and whenever fire occurs at night, and
which is one of the most Objectionable |
characteristics of the present inefficient
service of the city The fire was in the
third story of the Schsfer house on Sec
ond avenue and Market square, and wss
subdued as far as the fire was concerned, |
before the arrival of any of the compa>
MES. The Rescues and Wideawakes and
the hook and ladder truck, however,
made pretty fair time in getting around,
arriving about fifteen minutes after the
sounding of the alarm. According to
the statements of the inmates of the
building, there should have been no
heavy streams of water thrown. As
stated before. the fire was nearly out
when the fremen arrived, but the third
story of the building was filed with
dense smoke, and the fremen dashed up
the stairs with hose and nozzle, and
asking where the fire was, were pointed
to closet where it had been dis
covered. and before investigating
the actual state of affairs, stream was
ordered in and the building saturated.
Many of those about the building-MT.
Moore in particular, who is fireman
himself--protested against the indisereet
use of water, but no attention was paid.
Finally the stream was withdrawn, and
then when it was thought the fire was
out. hole was cut in the roof. another
hose laid and through the opening the
building was soaked from garnet TO cellar
After the firemen departed, it was readily
seen that the damage from water was a
great deal heavier than it could have
been by fire, without the destruction of
the entire building.
The fire originated in a closet on the
third floor, and smell of the smoke awak-
ened a ledger named Bennett, who
aroused Mr.. and Mrs. T. W. Moore, who
were sleeping in the front room on the
same floor just in time to allow their
escape, as the only means of exit mar
low hall, was fast filling with smoke
which would soon prevent passage. The
dodgers were all aroused as was Mr.. John
Swiler, prescription clerk in Thomas
drug store, who rooms on the second
floor The fire was located in a closet
which contained the winter bedding
clothes, etc, and the blaze wCs soon put
out The fire could have been confined
to the place where it WAS discovered
without the use of anything other than 1
Babcock extingujsher and the buiidin!
and other property saved from the los
by water. As ii was the carpets on tn
third floor were all ruined as was tn,
plaster, while Mr.. Swilers sleeping
department and Mr.. Thomas dry good
room on the floor below. The water raj
down the walls into the drug store
and destroyed or ruined large guantit
of dry materials, drugs and paints an
sundries shelved on the east side of tn
store, while the water splashed up on tn
counters, show cases and mirrors an
flooded the floor. Mr. Thomas, who wa
present as well as his clerk, Mr. SwileI
and Mr.. Moore of the'hotel, attempted t
prevent the application of the secon
stream, but their efforts were of no avail
During the fire, bundle of burnin
bed clothing was hurled out of an uppt
window to the walk below, aud lsnde
near fifty gallon barrel of gasoline OF
the smoking fragments scattering abor
the street and sidewalk. The barrel ha
been received last night, and was left oil
until this morning. Had there been tb
least vapor escaping, the whole bloc
would surely have been blown TO atoms
fine total loss will be nearly S100t
The building is damaged $3.50. MI
Moore looses similar amount, while M
Thomas damage will be about $500, an
in addition TO these are the individul
Losses of Mr.. Swiler and others. NJ
Moore has no insurance, but the builG
ing, which is owned by Mrs Cobb. Mis-
Andrews and Mr. Thomas, and the dru
stock, are insured in Buford's agency
The origin of the fire was spontaneOu
combustion.
The fire simply demonstrates al
fires in Rock Island do-the Incompetence
of the volunteer department. The firemc
last night did the best they were capabl
of. It's the plan that is to be criticised an
it can be condemned none too severely
With paid and disciplined service laI
night, ten minutes could have been savet
the fire thoroughly subdued with til
BabcOck hand extinguishers which are
part of the apparatus in paid depar
ment, being attached to the ladder trucl
and 10 addition to this the whole tow
would not be disturbed in getting tt
department out As it is, our peop
should insure against water in times
fire more than against the fire itself.
THE DAVENPORT FIRE.
The fire at Davenport at 7:45 la
evening was in the cupola of Frahn
brewery, but the blaze had the appea
ance from this side of the river of ben
in the roof of the city elevator. The f